S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K ________________________________________________________________________ 4843 2009-2010 Regular Sessions I N A S S E M B L Y February 6, 2009 ___________ Introduced by M. of A. P. RIVERA, DIAZ, POWELL, ORTIZ, KAVANAGH, J. RIVERA, PERALTA, V. LOPEZ, ROSENTHAL, N. RIVERA, ESPAILLAT, ARROYO, LATIMER, GUNTHER -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. BENJAMIN, BRENNAN, CALHOUN, CLARK, CROUCH, McDONOUGH, RABBITT, STIRPE, TOWNS -- read once and referred to the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commis- sions AN ACT to establish a temporary state commission on the feasibility of constructing and operating a light rail commuter system between the counties of Sullivan and Orange, and the city of New York; and provid- ing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM- BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: 1 Section 1. A temporary state commission on the feasibility of 2 constructing and operating a light rail commuter system between the 3 counties of Sullivan and Orange, and the city of New York is hereby 4 created to examine, evaluate and make recommendations on the feasibil- 5 ity, costs and benefits of constructing and operating a light rail 6 commuter system between the counties of Sullivan and Orange, and the 7 city of New York. Such commission shall direct its attention to the 8 following: 9 (a) Evaluating the population flow and other demographic data in the 10 counties of Sullivan and Orange; 11 (b) Evaluating the benefits of constructing and operating such a light 12 rail commuter system; 13 (c) Evaluating the effects of population growth on the operation of 14 such a light rail commuter system; 15 (d) Evaluating the impact on rental housing and real property values 16 of the operation of such a light rail commuter system; 17 (e) Evaluating the impact the operation of such light rail commuter 18 system would have upon the loss of population and employment in upstate 19 counties; EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [ ] is old law to be omitted. LBD06697-02-9 A. 4843 2 1 (f) Recommending where such light rail commuter system should be 2 constructed and where the passenger stations of the system should be 3 located; 4 (g) Estimating the cost of constructing such light rail commuter 5 system; and 6 (h) Estimating the economic benefits from the construction and opera- 7 tion of such a light rail commuter system. 8 S 2. The commission shall be composed of thirteen members to be 9 appointed as follows: three members shall be appointed by the governor; 10 three members shall be appointed by the temporary president of the 11 senate; three members shall be appointed by the speaker of the assembly; 12 two members shall be appointed by the minority leader of the senate; and 13 two members shall be appointed by the minority leader of the assembly. 14 The governor shall designate the chair of the commission. Vacancies in 15 the membership of the commission shall be filled in the manner provided 16 for original appointments. 17 S 3. The commission may employ and at pleasure remove such personnel 18 as it may deem necessary for the performance of its functions, and fix 19 their compensation within the amount available therefor and shall other- 20 wise have five staff liaisons and/or assistants appointed by the commis- 21 sioner of transportation. 22 S 4. The commission may meet within and without the state, shall hold 23 public hearings, and shall have all the powers of a legislative commit- 24 tee pursuant to the legislative law. All meetings of the commission and 25 documents in the possession of the commission shall be subject to the 26 provisions of articles 6 and 7 of the public officers law. 27 S 5. The members of the commission shall receive no compensation for 28 their services, but shall be allowed their actual and necessary expenses 29 incurred in the performance of their duties pursuant to this act. 30 S 6. To the maximum extent feasible, the commission shall be entitled 31 to request and receive, and shall utilize and be provided with such 32 facilities, resources and data of any court, department, division, 33 board, bureau, commission or agency of the state or any political subdi- 34 vision thereof as it may reasonably request to properly carry out its 35 powers and duties pursuant to this act. 36 S 7. The commission shall submit a report to the governor and the 37 legislature of its findings, conclusions and recommendations on or 38 before June 1, 2010, and shall submit with its report such legislative 39 proposals as it deems necessary to implement its recommendations. 40 S 8. This act shall take effect immediately and shall remain in 41 effect until June 1, 2010, when upon such date the provisions of this 42 act shall be deemed repealed.